Restored Optimus 8R

Hi All,
Thought I'd post some pics of the 8R I fixed up after getting it cheapo on Ebay. Looks like it's one of the earlier models with the stainless steel tank.

Here's how it looked when I received it.

Freezer test revealed it was leaking from the filler cap and the spindle. The cleaning needle was broken, and in all I couldn't get anything beyond a candle flame out of it.



I stripped it...




and gave it an an electrolysis bath... Also replaced the wick, cleaned the brass gauze, new SRV pip, tank seal, cleaning needle and graphite packing. Now it roars like a good 'un.

..and finally the finished article, painted with Hammerite Hammered Blue and cured in my old Belling warming oven. I agonised over the paint and in the end decided to go with the Hammerite, and while it's not very original in colour, I really like it, which is the most important thing!



My thanks to all of you who helped me figure this out. I made my first cuppa on it last weekend and it was a joy. Not bad for a 60-year old stove!

Tom​

 

Hi, for information the tank is nickel-plated brass.
Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

Good job! Great little stove. Brad

 

Although I like closer to original paint color, I think you did a great job with the new paint, texture looks factory.
Duane

 

Thanks Duane

 

Brad I liked working on it so much I bought myself an old 111B last night!

 

@kerophile indeed - nicker-plated brass. I can see it wearing through to the brass in some places...

 

Congratulations, it's cleaned up nicely

 

@TeeEmPee
Thats a very nice stove, its great to find a model with the nickel plated tank.
It goes good with the colour, the original colour is a bit dull, I have painted one
with the same model case red.
Excellent restoration of a desirable stove.

@hikerduane I did not realise that they came with a hammered finish, the three
that I have all came smooth.

 

Just saying that it looks factory quality what I could see, not so much a factory finish or color, although I do have a couple older 8's that have a hammered or Japanned finish I believe it is. I have a number of 8/8R's.
Duane

 

Good job!!!!

 

Hi Tom, great to see another loved 8R!
I've been holding off having a go at the hammertone on mine, I like the blue you used.

Now for a general question on the 8R's, which ones came with a pump?

Cheers,
Dave

 

Hi @Dartanyon
The answer to your question “which ones came with a pump?”

A. None of them. Pumps were an after-market accessory and in the vast majority of cases not required.

Best Regards,
Kerophile.

 

Hi Kero, ahh ok thanks.
Yea I've found priming with alcohol is always enough but the accessory makes the 8R more like lots of my other stoves that have built in pumps, just sort of makes them more complete and they look cool.
For sure the seals dont need that extra pressure.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Nice